Protect Your Home From Cyber Attacks

More than ever, hackers are exploiting security flaws to break into home networks, and the United States homes are the most hit. According to Hartford Steam Boiler, one in every ten homes has experienced a cyber attack. Victims of cyber attack have minimal knowledge of security hence the increase in these attacks.  However, you do not have to be a security expert to protect your home from cyber attacks. Here, you'll learn how to protect your home from a cyber attack.

Keep your software updated 
Many of the security flaws exploited by attackers have been found and corrected by the software developer. However, as a result of software users not having the updated version, they still fall for the attacks. At any point in time, keep your Operating System (OS) and application software up to date and never play with security updates. It is advisable to turn on automatic updates – most programs have this feature.

Secure your network
It is no news that your home network is a crucial target for those into cyber crimes. What is new is how unsecured some people unknowingly leave their home networks. Keeping your home network secured is one of the undoings of cyber attackers. To ensure your home network is safe, you can do the following:
- Keep your home router name private.
- Change its default login details.
- Create a secure password comprising symbols, letters, and numbers.
- Use WPA2 instead of WEP.Make sure you activate your router encryption.

Secure your phone
Your smartphone brings with it a lot of ease. With it, you can control devices in the home through their apps. The disadvantage is that you give an attacker access to the home devices once he/she has your smartphone. To prevent this, secure your phone with a strong password comprising symbols, letters, and numbers.

Set up anti-virus and firewall
One of the ways to protect your home from cyber attacks is by having an anti-virus program on your system. While free anti-virus can protect you, it is best you go for paid ones. Paid anti-virus provide better security and protection. Also, make sure your firewall is on as it can identify and prevent a cyber attack.

Mind what you download and install
This is an essential point many people give little attention to. Before downloading anything from the Internet, make sure the source is credible to avoid downloading software, documents, and other files that may be infected sources. Always read the privacy policy before doing any form of downloading and installation of software. It is essential to avoid carrying out financial transactions on without an SSL certificate.

Back up your data
It is essential to back up your data regularly just in case. Backup should be done weekly and will help in cases you got attacked and denied access to your data.

3 Important Tips for Selecting Bathroom Flooring

One of the most important factors to consider when updating or remodeling your bathroom is the type and style of flooring that you will use. Before you pick materials on "looks" alone, use these tips to help you find the right match.


Tip #1: Explore all of your options for types of flooring.

Vinyl. It's the most popular choice for bathroom flooring, and for a good reason. Vinyl typically comes in 6- or 12-foot-wide rolls, making installation a snap. Using vinyl rolls can achieve the seamless look that many homeowners prefer. Another popular option is vinyl squares or tiles, which are easier to handle and install, but have more seams that can collect dirt and mildew. Vinyl flooring comes in a multitude of colors and patterns, ensuring that homeowners can find a design that will work in their bathroom.

Carpet. While this is not most people's first choice for bathroom flooring, there are plenty of water and stain-resistant carpeting options that could work great for your bathroom. Carpet has the added bonus of being warm and soft, something that you will not find using cold tile or stone building materials.

Ceramic tile. This typically comes in squares that are between ½ inch and ¾ inch thick and measure anywhere from 4 inches by 4 inches to 24 inches by 24 inches. When you are choosing ceramic floor tiles, it is important to check on the porosity rating. For a moist environment such as a bathroom, you will want to choose a type of tile that is as minimally porous as possible.

Hardwood. Many people like the warm look of hardwood flooring, and if you have hardwood floors throughout your house, extending them into your bathroom can help create a cohesive look.

Laminate. A type of layered flooring that is resistant to damage and easy to clean, laminate is a popular choice for busy families. This type of flooring is relatively affordable, allowing you to give your bathroom a new, clean look without breaking the bank.

Natural stone. This kind of flooring is usually cut into square tiles. Many varieties come in 12 inch by 12 inch squares, but some manufacturers prefer larger or smaller tiles depending on the type of stone. This material is easy to care for and keep clean, but one important consideration is whether your sub-floor is strong enough to support this heavy building material.

Tip #2: Shop around.
Different vendors might have drastically different prices for similar flooring materials, so make sure you get a few quotes before you make your final purchase.

Tip #3: Measure carefully! 
The last thing you want is to run out of flooring before you finish remodeling your bathroom, so try to make sure you purchase a little bit extra, just in case. This is especially important if you are using stone or ceramic tiles – it is common for a few tiles to crack or break during transport.

Once you have purchased your flooring materials, you will be well on your way to having an up-to-date bathroom floor.